Single-Stage Hardware N-Sorter for Reduced Propagation Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hardware sorting systems are inefficient due to reliance on multi-stage networks of 2-sorters, which are slow and resource-intensive, especially when sorting lists with more than two values, and lack effective methods for reducing propagation delay and resource usage in single-stage sorting blocks.
Innovation Solution
The development of single-stage hardware N-sorters that can sort more than two values in parallel, using a systematic design with output multiplexers and comparison signals to efficiently sort and filter lists, reducing the number of stages in multistage processes and enabling faster multiway merge sorting networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multi-stage networks of 2-sorters are used for hardware sorting, then sorting capability is achieved, but propagation delay increases and resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sorting operations into a single stage by using N-sorters that can sort N values simultaneously. Instead of chaining multiple 2-sorter stages, the invention merges the sorting functionality into parallel N-sorter blocks that process multiple inputs in one clock cycle, thereby reducing propagation delay while maintaining sorting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a sequential multi-stage approach (time dimension) to a parallel single-stage approach (spatial dimension). By using N-sorters with N inputs that operate in parallel within a single stage, the invention spreads the sorting workload across multiple parallel comparison units rather than sequencing them through multiple stages, thus reducing the number of stages without sacrificing sorting thoroughness.
2Productivity
If multi-stage networks of 2-sorters are used for hardware sorting, then sorting capability is achieved, but hardware resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sorting functions into unified N-sorter blocks that handle N inputs simultaneously. By combining what would traditionally require multiple separate 2-sorter stages into a single parallel N-sorter unit, the invention reduces the total quantity of hardware resources needed while maintaining or improving sorting productivity through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The N-sorter blocks serve multiple functions: they can sort N values, select maximum values, select minimum values, and perform partial sorting operations all within a single hardware unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware blocks for each sorting operation, thereby reducing overall hardware resource usage while maintaining high sorting productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 3-sorters are created from 3 serial stages of 2-sorters, then 3-way merge sort capability is achieved, but propagation delay increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three sorting operations into a single parallel 3-sorter stage instead of using three sequential 2-sorter stages. The 3-sorter simultaneously compares and sorts all three inputs in one clock cycle, achieving 3-way merge sort capability without the cumulative propagation delay of three serial stages, thus maintaining adaptability while dramatically improving speed.
4Speed
If single-stage N-sorters are used instead of multi-stage 2-sorter networks, then propagation delay is reduced, but hardware resource usage per block increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting function into modular N-sorter blocks that can be independently designed and instantiated. Each N-sorter is a self-contained unit with N inputs and N outputs that performs complete sorting within the block. This segmentation allows the complex single-stage sorting logic to be organized into manageable, reusable modules, making the increased per-block complexity acceptable through modularity and parallel scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for designing single-stage hardware sorting blocks, and further using the single-stage hardware sorting blocks to reduce the number of stages in multistage sorting processes, or to define multiway merge sorting networks.